Old Granny Fox | Page 2

the Big River
which never freezes because the water runs too swiftly to freeze, and
I've found more than one meal washed ashore there. You go over there
now while I see what I can find in the Green Forest. If neither of us
finds anything, it will be time enough to think about Farmer Brown's
hens to-morrow."
Much against his will Reddy obeyed. "It isn't the least bit of use," he
grumbled, as he trotted towards the Big River. "There won't be
anything there. It is just a waste of time."
Late that afternoon he came hurrying back, and Granny knew by the
way that he cocked his ears and carried his tail that he had news of
some kind. "Well, what is it?" she demanded.
"I found a dead fish that had been washed ashore," replied Reddy. "It
wasn't big enough for two, so I ate it."
"Anything else?" asked Granny.
"No-o," replied Reddy slowly; "that is, nothing that will do us any good.

Quacker the Wild Duck was swimming about out in the open water, but
though I watched and watched he never once came ashore."
"Ha!" exclaimed Granny. "That is good news. I think we'll go Duck
hunting."

CHAPTER II
: Granny And Reddy Fox Go Hunting
When you're in doubt what course is right, The thing to do is just sit
tight. - Old Granny Fox.
Jolly, round, bright Mr. Sun had just got well started on his daily climb
up in the blue, blue sky that morning when he spied two figures trotting
across the snow-covered Green Meadows, one behind the other. They
were trotting along quite as if they had made up their minds just where
they were going. They had. You see they were Granny and Reddy Fox,
and they were bound for the Big River at the place where the water ran
too swiftly to freeze. The day before Reddy had discovered Quacker
the Wild Duck swimming about there, and now they were on their way
to try to catch him.
Granny led the way and Reddy meekly followed her. To tell the truth,
Reddy hadn't the least idea that they would have a chance to catch
Quacker, because Quacker kept out in the water where he was as safe
from them as if they were a thousand miles away. The only reason that
Reddy had willingly started with Granny was the hope that he might
find a dead fish washed up on the shore as he had the day before.
"Granny certainly is growing foolish in her old age," thought Reddy, as
he trotted along behind her. "I told her that Quacker never once came
ashore all the time I watched yesterday. I don't believe he ever comes
ashore, and if she knows anything at all she ought to know that she
can't catch him out there in the water. Granny used to be smart enough
when she was young, I guess, but she certainly is losing her mind now.
It's a pity, a great pity. I can just imagine how Quacker will laugh at her.
I have to laugh myself."
He did laugh, but you may be sure he took great pains that Granny
should not see him laughing. Whenever she looked around he was as
sober as could be. In fact, he appeared to be quite as eager as if he felt
sure they would catch Quacker. Now old Granny Fox is very wise in

the ways of the Great World, and if Reddy could have known what was
going on in her mind as she led the way to the Big River, he might not
have felt quite so sure of his own smartness. Granny was doing some
quiet laughing herself.
"He thinks I'm old and foolish and don't know what I'm about, the
young scamp!" thought she. "He thinks he has learned all there is to
learn. It isn't the least use in the world to try to tell him anything. When
young folks feel the way he does, it is a waste of time to talk to them.
He has got to be shown. There is nothing like experience to take the
conceit out of these youngsters."
Now conceit is the feeling that you know more than any one else.
Perhaps you do. Then again, perhaps you don't. So sometimes it is best
not to be too sure of your own opinion. Reddy was sure. He trotted
along behind old Granny Fox and planned smart things to say to her
when she found that there wasn't a chance to catch Quacker the Duck. I
am afraid, very much afraid, that Reddy was planning to be saucy.
People who think themselves smart are quite apt to be saucy.
Presently they came to the bank of the Big